Mucosis BV, a Dutch company developing mucosal vaccines that can be applied needle-free via the nose or mouth, is rapidly advancing toward clinical studies that could pave the way for the arrival of broad-based and durable protection from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Betting on the restorative power of young blood to reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease and other central nervous system disorders, Grifols SA is taking a 45 percent stake in Stanford University spinout Alkahest Inc.

Graybug Inc., a spinout of Johns Hopkins University's Wilmer Eye Institute that's developing an experimental microparticle drug for wet age-related macular degeneration, has closed a $1.74 million series A2 financing to help advance a preclinical drug and further prove its sustained-release technology.

Kura Oncology Inc. made a big splash in the even bigger oncology drug development pond this month. The company completed a reverse merger and closed a $60 million private placement with a syndicate of top venture funds almost at the same time it executed an agreement with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) unit Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, of Beerse, Belgium, for an exclusive license to develop and commercialize tipifarnib in multiple oncology indications.

The oral inhibitor of RAS farnesylation has a long history of development, with clinical trials dating back 15 years, but so far has failed to yield a product launch. La Jolla, Calif.-based Kura hopes to change that in short order.